NEED QUICK ADVICE! - Neighbour’s Dog Alone

[PolarBear559]

My neighbour frequently stays out for the night and leaves the dog at home alone. I don’t know exactly how long for but I know for certain one evening the dog was left alone from around 7pm until around 11am the following morning.

I’ve just found out my neighbour has gone on holiday and left the dog at home! Someone is popping in, but not for very long. All I can think about is how hot it is and how there’s no airflow in the house, or if it needs to go to the toilet, or runs out of water, or even just the poor thing having no interaction, exercise or company!

Please offer some advice on whether I should do anything about this and if so, what’s the best thing to do?

Thanks in advance x

Please phone the RSPCA. This is animal cruelty if your facts are correct.
Please don’t do nothing, the poor thing.

I think in this case you are overreacting. She has gotten a dog sitter by the sounds of it. Who is no doubt taking the dog out, feeding and watering it. In this heat, dogs should be indoors. Ours went out early this morning and will likely not go out again til this evening unless she tells us she needs to. 2 minutes outside and she is an overheating mess. It’s lovely and cool inside with no windows open.

Would I leave a dog overnight? Me personally no. Would I hire a dog sitter? No, because ours wouldn’t cope with some random looking after her. But I presume they are feeding and watering and caring for the dog unless you know otherwise. So no, I wouldn’t do anything unless the dog is clearly in distress. Barking, left out in the heat with no shade, etc.

The RSPCA won't be interested unless the dog is alone for more than 24 hours. If someone is coming in to let it out, feed it and make sure it has water, it's considered acceptable, sadly.

Before anyone starts slagging off the RSPCA, they are bound by the law. They would often wish to intervene but if no law is being broken, they are not allowed to. They are also absolutely run off their feet at this time of year.

Just getting that out there before any negative comments.

@tumblingdowntherabbithole not saying you are by the way, just that I've seen how these threads can go.

This is unacceptable but there is not much you can do legally. Can you catch the person who’s popping in and get their number so if the dog is distressed you can let them know? Do you have your neighbours contact number? Doubt the RSPCA will be interested there are so many worse cases that need attention there’s only so many they can attend

Oh don't worry @Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I know!

People assume the RSPCA have special powers of entry or the ability to take dogs but they don't, sadly.

The RSPCA won't (and can't) do anything about a dog who is home alone with someone popping in on it. No laws are being broken here.

OP, I would still ring them for advice.

@Timemyluckchanged good suggestion for seeing if they can catch up with the person who is popping in and out.

@tumblingdowntherabbithole no laws might be being broken but is still animal cruelty.

Can I just say also, well done OP for showing concern for an animal.

The poor thing, being left like that. The T must be deeply distressing for a social animal like a dog.
How about a call to RSPCA? anonymous or otherwise

The welfare of the dog is more important than the RSPCA's remit. It's still worth asking for their advice. What an irresponsible dog owner that is. This site is always throwing that title around, but if ever there's a call for it, it's this time.

Agree. Definitely try and speak to the dog sitter. X

How do you know for sure nobody has gone in? There are 24 hours in a day, surely it’s possible someone is going in when you aren’t looking/sleeping.

My neighbour accused me of not walking my dog, but I was it’s just I don’t take my dog out at the same time every day and neighbour never looks home when I do it!

Dont make false allegations if you don’t know with 100% certainty.

I don't disagree, but the RSPCA can't just intervene and take animals without permission from the police. They don't have any more powers than you or I.

Another stupid, stupid cunt taking ownership of a dog and not giving a flying shite about the love and attention it needs then expecting it to live like a cat.

I fucking hate these people so much.

@tumblingdowntherabbithole So I have suggested maybe just ringing them for advice.

@BringYourOwnBullshit Well said. Totally agree.

Thank you for speaking some sense.

I'm not really sure what advice you expect them to give - the dog hasn't been abandoned, someone is popping in to check on it regularly, no laws are being broken. They really won't be interested, I'm afraid.

Unfortunately it sounds like neighbour isn’t actually breaking the law.
She’s utterly vile for leaving her dog alone for so long. Completely unfair on the poor dog.
Some people are selfish cunts.

It can put the OP's mind at rest. What's the point in dismissing something, before exploring it.

@Dangermoo Thank you.